What Time is the Super Bowl 2012?

Super Bowl pre-game show 2012 started on NBC at 12 p.m. today, and excitement is building in Indianapolis toward the big game, which doesn't kick off until 6:30 p.m. EST. Photo: Reuters

Super Bowl 46 pitting the New York Giants against the New England Patriots kicks off at 6:30 p.m. EST on Sunday, Feb. 5th.

The much-anticipated rematch of the 2008 Super Bowl will be broadcasted on NBC and live-streamed through NBCSports.com for the first time ever. The Super Bowl typically draws in more than a hundred million viewers each year and this year figures to be no different. NBC's Super Bowl coverage begins at noon and features sit-down interviews with many of the players and coaches involved in the Super Bowl.

The Patriots come into the game as a 2.5-point favorite, but the Giants have gotten a lot of the hype and public support in the two weeks leading into the Super Bowl. The game could ultimately come down to a duel between Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Giants quarterback Eli Manning -- with Manning having the recent upper hand.

The two teams previously met in the regular season and the Giants won 24-20. The Giants' win doesn't bode well with past history, though, as the last three times teams met for a regular-season rematch in the Super Bowl, the loser of the first game won the Super Bowl.

It's statistics like that one that are worth knowing if you decide to make any bets on the big game. A host of gambling Web sites are offering prop bets on everything from how long it will take Kelly Clarkson to sing the National Anthem to who the Super Bowl MVP will thank first in his acceptance speech. These Web sites are illegal in the United States, but offer some fun ideas on things to play bet on at your Super Bowl party.

In addition to all of the action on the field, casual viewers have a lot to be excited about as well. Legendary pop singer Madonna will be teaming up with Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. for the Super Bowl halftime show. Some have criticized the selection of Madonna, but she'll certainly generate a lot of conversation with her performance - for good or bad.